News

June 3, 2009

Rogersville Man Plans to Start Family Business with $1 Million Prize

A Rogersville man "had a feeling" about a particular Missouri Lottery game on May 29. Roger Owens, 49, followed his intuition all the way to a $1 million prize on a "4 Million Dollar Cash Bonanza" Scratchers ticket.

"For some reason I knew I had to buy this $20 one," he began. "I bought three in a row. I was sweating it."

Owens, a father of three, was on the telephone with one of his sons when he "happened to look down" and catch a glimpse of his prize.

"I had to hang up," he revealed. "I thought I was going to have a heart attack!"

After Owens regained his composure, he called his son back with the good news.

According to Owens, he "thanked God, and hoped I made it home safe."

It was a long weekend for the first-time Lottery winner. He placed his ticket in plastic wrap and kept it "close by" him while he waited for Monday morning to come when he could claim his prize at a Lottery office.

When asked about plans for his windfall, Owens, a landscaper, noted that "it’s not enough to retire on, but hopefully it will help out with a lot of stuff." A few ideas for the prize money include purchasing new vehicles for his sons, a truck for himself and opening a family business.

In terms of advice for fellow Lottery players still searching for that winning ticket, Owens added "you can’t win if you don’t play."

"4 Million Dollar Cash Bonanza,’’ a $20 Scratchers game with a top prize of $4 million, officially began on Jan. 26. To date, two top prizes remain in play, as well as nine $1 million prizes and numerous additional prizes ranging from $20-$25,000.